A ransomware attack targeting at least five financial firms has seen a huge amount of data leaked and reportedly put thousands of freelancers at risk of being unable to complete and send in their self-assessment tax returns before the deadline at the end of February.
According to contractor and freelancer accounting firm Gorilla Accounting, at least five companies have been hit by a ransomware attack which has led to sensitive freelancer and small business data being leaked online.
Gorilla said that data including National Insurance numbers, passports, phone numbers, email addresses and P60s had been leaked as result of the attack. The firm added that thousands of freelancers and small business owners had been experiencing issues with online accounts, meaning many have been unable to complete their self-assessment returns.
The deadline for self-assessment tax returns was pushed back to February 28 2022 by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving freelancers more time to complete their returns and pay any tax that they owe without incurring penalties. However, Gorilla claims the ransomware attack may mean that thousands miss the extended deadline.
Quoted on express.co.uk, Gorilla Director Daniel Fallows said: “So far we’ve been contacted by hundreds of affected contractors and SMEs who are concerned about being able to submit their HMRC self-assessment in time for the extended deadline later this month.”
“We would advise any contractors or businesses affected by this issue to contact a qualified accountant as soon as possible so that there is enough time for them to submit a self-assessment return before the end of February.”
“This ransomware attack is a major concern for freelancers, SMEs and the accounting sector as a whole. Our sympathies lie with the firms targeted in these attacks and the thousands of SMEs, freelancers and contractors affected by this issue.”
